Our dogs and cats love to show their affection for us with energetic licks to our faces.
While we welcome the affection, we don’t enjoy the bad breath that sometimes comes with it. Stinky pet breath can be caused by underlying gum issues, so if it is particularly malodorous and/or chronic, be sure to check in with your veterinarian. For some at-home tips to keep your pet’s gums healthy and breath kissable, read on.
Supplement with Chlorophyll
Simple bad breath may be helped by adding chlorophyll to the diet. Fresh chopped parsley is one of the best sources of chlorophyll. Add it to your pet’s food daily for best results. Use one teaspoon per meal for small dogs and cats and up to one tablespoon per meal for larger dogs.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
The foul odor coming from your pet’s mouth could be a result of plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Give your pet something to chew on, such as Earth Animal No-Hide Chews, to help keep the plaque and tartar at bay. Additionally, keep your pet’s teeth clean by brushing them regularly and/or having them professionally cleaned at your veterinarian’s office.
Diet
As always, feeding your pet an all-natural, well-balanced, healthy diet is the key to preventing many health problems, including dental problems, bad breath, and its possible underlying causes.
Regular Check-ups
Visiting your veterinarian for regular wellness checks is always a good idea to help keep your pet healthy. Chronic bad breath could be a sign of an underlying disease that your veterinarian can catch and treat with regular visits before it gets too severe. If your dog’s breath smells sweet or fruity, it could be a sign of diabetes. Breath that smells of urine might mean kidney disease. Extra stinky breath coupled with vomiting, yellowing gums, and a lack of appetite could mean liver disease in dogs (akc.com). If your pet shows any of these signs, visit your veterinarian immediately.
